Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics: Situation Report #14

UNCLAS VANCOUVER 000104 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR DS/TIA STATE FOR DS/DSS/DO STATE FOR DS/P/MECU STATE FOR DS/DO/P STATE FOR DS/ICI/CI STATE FOR DS/T/ATA STATE FOR DS/TIA/ITA STATE FOR DS/TIA/PII STATE FOR DS/TIA/CC STATE FOR S/CT STATE FOR CA/OCS/ACS/WHA STATE FOR DS/IP/WHA STATE FOR WHA/CAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC KOLY CASC CA PTER AMGT PINR OVIP SUBJECT: Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics: Situation Report #14 ¶1. (SBU) The following report provides security-related information for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games as of noon February 24, 2010. Please visit the following link for additional classified reporting: https://nol.nctc.sgov.gov/ng/cgi-bin/nctcHome .cgi?event=Vancouver_2 ¶010. The interagency U.S. Government (USG) Joint Operations Center can be contacted on a 24-hour basis at 604-692-2509, ext 4013. ¶2. (U//FOUO//LES) Canadian and USG authorities are currently unaware of any specific, credible threats to the Games. Though the frequency of organized demonstrations has diminished since February 15, ad hoc protest activity at event and public locations remains a concern. Canadian security officials indicate anti-Olympics groups may stage limited demonstrations as the Games draw to a close. SECURITY ISSUES Protests: ¶3. (U) February 23 Protest Activity - No Olympics-related protests occurred February 23. ¶4. (U) Current Protest Activity - Activists plan to stage a "Share the Gold" human chain protest in the Downtown East Side from 4:45 to 5:15 p.m. today. Demonstrators hope to form a chain of individuals for three blocks along either side of East Hastings Street, between Carrall Street and Gore Avenue. The demonstration will likely be peaceful, but minor traffic disruptions may occur. The protest is approximately .5 miles from Canada Hockey Place, the nearest Olympic venue. ¶5. (U//FOUO//LES) Anticipated Protest Activity - An anti-Olympics demonstration at Grandview Park and subsequent march to the nearby Britannia Community Services Centre Rink is scheduled from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. February 25. A small number of activists will reportedly protest the use of the rink for Olympics practice, though it will not likely affect those scheduled. This demonstration is being touted on the militant activist website www.no2010.com; however, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Vancouver Police are monitoring the situation and have sufficient security measures in place. ¶6. (U) Bicyclists and skaters plan to participate in a "Critical Mass Bike Ride" departing from the Vancouver Art Gallery around 6 p.m. on February 26. This recurring event is taking place as regularly scheduled and is not anti-Olympics in nature; however, the route is unknown and could affect the Men's Hockey Semi-Final game at 6:30 p.m. at Canada Hockey Place. Minor traffic disruptions are expected. ¶7. (U) A "Games Over! Resistance Lives!" demonstration is scheduled to occur from 1 to 3pm PST on February 28 at the intersection of Smithe and Cambie Streets. The event is advertised as a "noisy public festival to celebrate our communities and our resistance." This demonstration is being advertised on www.no2010.com. Incidents: ¶8. (U) No Olympics-related security incidents occurred during this reporting period. Threats: ¶9. (SBU) At this time, there are no known specific, credible transnational terrorist threats against the Vancouver Olympics. SECURITY OPERATIONS ¶10. (SBU) Other than scheduled USOC and team movements, no major Olympics-related security operations have transpired during this reporting period. ¶11. (SBU),Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice will visit Vancouver from February 25 to March 1. These VIPs are tentatively scheduled to attend ice and speed skating venues, as well as the hockey quarter finals and the closing ceremonies. PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ¶12. There is no significant information or activity to report. CONSULAR ISSUES ¶13. There is no significant information or activity to report. POLITICAL/GENERAL ISSUES ¶14. Cooler weather, rain, and fog have returned to the Vancouver area. A schedule and results of all competitions throughout the Games can be found at http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-schedule -results/. CHICOLA